Local travellers offered the easy way out August 12 2009
Media Release
Where would you rather be in four hours: Brisbane or Rolleston?
That’s the simple question Dunedin International Airport is asking international travellers from Otago and Southland as part of its Fly Dunedin campaign, launched in the city on Tuesday evening.
"Flying out of Dunedin direct to Australia offers significant advantages and we want travellers to weigh up the ease and convenience of a Dunedin departure when they are planning to fly internationally", says CEO John McCall.
"Flying from Dunedin International Airport allows them to 'Take the easy way out'.
"It makes much more sense to avoid driving or flying to another New Zealand centre to catch an international flight. By using their own airport Dunedin people can be in Brisbane in four hours - the time it would take them to get to Rolleston if they were to drive north."
The Fly Dunedin launch marks something of a rallying point for the airport and the many local organisations it works with to promote the city and the region, says Mr McCall.
"As a city with an international airport we cannot stand still and let opportunities pass us by - we must recognise and present the opportunities to encourage our airline partners to grow services to our international airport. We have put our heads together with other 'Champions of Otago' and come up with a strategy for airlines to deliver more flight options and better deals for Dunedinites.
"If we build up our outbound market then it becomes easier to build up our inbound one. More frequent flights mean better service and more options," he adds.
"Marketing the airport as a departure point is just a start. The next step will be to market the advantages of using the airport as an arrivals point in support of the growing awareness of Dunedin and the wider region as a quality visitor destination.
"We see the airport as a vital piece of infrastructure and a key to unlocking the Otago and Southland economy."
The centrepiece of the campaign is their new FlyDunedin.com website which has all the information travellers need when looking to use Dunedin International Airport, says Mr McCall.
"We have looked to make air travel as easy as possible. You can even book flights to Australia with either Air New Zealand or Pacific Blue on our website."
Pacific Blue has begun offering flights to Brisbane three days per week while Air New Zealand has a twice weekly service, giving the city five connections per week with Australia.
Mr McCall says the new website and campaign is just the beginning of Dunedin International Airport’s move into the e-media area - a space where airports traditionally have not been before.
"This is a space we need to be in if we are to meet the needs of the modern traveller. To be able to book your flight directly with your preferred airline on the homepage of an airport website is a first for an airport company in New Zealand."
For further comment or information, please contact:
John McCall
Phone: (03) 470 0404
Mobile: 027 436 2288